Is It Worth Upgrading a Computer?

 Obsolescence is a constant problem with technology. In the case of some gadgets or equipment such as smartphones, one has to purchase a new one if the one that they are using no longer meets their needs. With a PC however, there is the possibility of giving it new life by upgrading it. Upgrading the PC will help it to meet every purpose while saving the owner a lot of money. However, before choosing to upgrade a PC as opposed to purchasing a new one, the owner should ask themselves whether it is worth it.

The owner should start by identifying which components need upgrading and what effect the upgrade will have on their warranty. It is only after deciding on these issues that they can really determine whether upgrading is better than buying a new one. Sometimes, the components to upgrade can be very straightforward. For example, if you have run out of disk space, and you want to save more files, you will need a hard disk upgrade. Also, if your keyboard is spoilt, you will simply have to purchase a new one. However, with other issues, the answer is not always as obvious.

When it comes to performance and speed, the problem could be the hard disk, the processor or the memory. The applications that the owner wants to run on the computer could give them a rough idea of what components they need to upgrade. Applications that involve a lot of mathematical computing or video and audio editing will need a better processor. Demanding video games will need a graphics processor upgrade. If the PC does not have a graphics card, then the obvious upgrade is to purchase one.
However, before upgrading the processor, the owner needs to consider the compatibility of their motherboard with the latest processor models. If the motherboard and the processor are not compatible, the new processor will not work. The best way to do this is by reading the motherboard's manual and checking the specifications of the new processor to see if they are compatible. However, individuals who do not have their motherboard manual should not fret as they can get a motherboard detector application which will help them to know the details of their motherboard.

If the owner is serious about video editing applications, or if they run plenty of Virtual Machines in VirtualBox, then they will need to purchase a new RAM. However, if it is general performance such as slower boot time, then a faster hard disk could be the best upgrade.
Before upgrading any component of a computer, the owner should consider the impact that the upgrade will have on their warranty. Some computer suppliers and manufacturers are very strict about this, and they would prefer if the upgrade was done by their technicians. However, others are more lenient, and they may not nullify a warranty because of an upgrade. The owner should therefore check with their computer supplier or manufacturer before upgrading any component, especially if they intend to do it themselves.